Public comments sharply oppose hunting in parks

7:31 PM,
Dec. 7, 2012

A runner jogs through High Cliff State Park on Oct. 10 in Sherwood. Under a new state law, all hunting seasons will be allowed in the park, unless people opposed can convince the DNR it poses a safety hazard.

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A new law that opens Wisconsin parks to hunting became a flash point of tension this fall as residents inundated lawmakers and state agencies with emails and letters opposing the measure.

On Friday, the DNR released a scaled-back recommendation for Act 168, known as the Sporting Heritage Bill. About two-thirds of state park and trails - instead of all state parks and trails - would be open to hunting. Additional safety measures, including a ban on guns at High Cliff State Park, were recommended.

The Post-Crescent obtained the more than 2,500 emails and letters sent to legislators, the ...